Karen Vaisman is a professional photographer and Master Retouch Artist with over 30 years of experience and 300+ 5-star reviews. Her Agoura Hills studio serves clients across Los Angeles and Ventura County.
Baby Passport Photos Los Angeles —
Newborn & Infant Sessions
US & Canadian Requirements — Flat-Lay Setup, No Shadows —
Zero Rejections in 30+ Years
Infant sessions are priced on each booking page. Need both countries? Book either one and mention the second when you call — (818) 991-7787. Karen answers her own phone.
A Baby Passport Photo
That Gets Accepted
(Eyes Open, Mouth Closed, No Shadows)
Without The Tears
Zero rejections in 30+ years — and if it ever happens, the retake is free. Your baby lies on a white backdrop on the floor, photographed from above with studio lighting, so there's nothing to fall off and nowhere for a shadow to hide. You stay right beside them the whole time.
Sessions run 30–45 minutes with pauses for feeding and changing. US and Canadian — pricing is on the booking page.
We got a quick turnaround of photos for our two kids for their Canadian certificate of citizenship digital photos and Canadian passport photos. Highly professional and detail oriented, went above and beyond to ensure the photos would meet the application requirements.
What's Included
Your Newborn or Infant Passport Session
2×2 inch prints for US applications; Canadian prints in the Canadian size with the studio stamp and date on the back.
The baby lies on a white backdrop with one soft light directly overhead — shadows are the most common reason a baby's photo is rejected.
Nothing to roll off. Karen shoots straight down from above; a parent kneels beside the baby the entire time.
Karen keeps shooting until both happen in the same frame. Hands and pacifiers are out of the picture at the moment of capture.
Infant sessions are booked at 30–45 minutes so no one is rushing a hungry baby. Fan if it's warm, heater if it's cold.
Every frame reviewed on the iPad with you. You pick the one that goes on the application.
Correctly sized files for the US online renewal portal and the Canadian digital JPG with text file for citizenship applications.
Once a baby sits unassisted, the session moves off the floor and runs like a regular passport sitting, with a parent just out of frame.
Zero Rejections in 30+ Years — retake is FREE if it ever happens.
In 30+ years, a retake has never been needed.
Four weeks old. Eyes open, mouth closed, no shadows. Accepted.
Embassy of Canada Referral Photographer · Los Angeles
Canadian Passport & Citizenship Photos for Babies —
Same Studio, Same Setup
Canadian applications for a newborn or infant use the same flat-lay setup as a US passport — white backdrop on the floor, one soft light overhead, parent beside the baby. What changes is what you leave with: Canadian-size prints with the commercial studio stamp, date, and studio address on the back, and for citizenship applications the digital JPG with the accompanying text file.
Karen Vaisman Photography is listed by the Embassy of Canada as a commercial photographer referral, and Canadian passport and citizenship photos are the studio's most-booked service. Many families do the US and Canadian photos for their baby in one visit.
Printed to the Canadian passport and citizenship dimensions on photo paper.
The commercial photography studio stamp, address, and date of the photo — supplied on every Canadian print.
For online citizenship applications, the correctly sized JPG with the required text file, checked before you leave.
Same session, two sets of prints and files — one trip with the baby instead of two.
British infant passport photos as prints or digital files; other countries by appointment — call first so Karen can confirm the setup.
If a photo is ever rejected, Karen will retake it for free. In 30+ years, a retake has never been needed.
Why Los Angeles Parents Bring Their Babies to Karen Vaisman Photography
Most parents come after a first attempt went badly — a drugstore counter, a baby held up under fluorescent light, one flash, and a photo with a shadow behind the head and a parent's hand in the frame. A baby can't be told to hold still or look at the lens. The setup has to do that work instead.
Karen has photographed babies in this studio for decades. The floor setup, the single overhead light, the parent's hand slipping out of frame at the right moment — it's a method, and it works on newborns who have never once looked at a camera on purpose.
Karen Vaisman Photography is located in Agoura Hills — the newborn and infant passport photo studio serving Los Angeles, the Conejo Valley, and the west San Fernando Valley.
Families come from Los Angeles, Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Thousand Oaks, Malibu, and Woodland Hills because:
At a drugstore a baby gets one flash and whatever comes out. Here the camera keeps going until the eyes are open and the mouth is closed in the same frame.
You see every shot on the iPad and choose the one that goes on the application.
Getting a Baby to Look at the Camera
The hard part of a baby's passport photo isn't the size or the background — it's getting eyes open, mouth closed, and face straight to the lens, all at once, from someone who has no idea what you're asking.
How Karen does it: the baby lies on the white backdrop, the parent kneels at the head, and Karen shoots from directly above. The parent gently straightens the baby's head and draws their own hands out of frame in the instant Karen fires. Shadows are the most common reason a baby's photo is rejected, so one soft light directly overhead does the job in-camera — nothing to fix afterward.
Come when the baby is fed and rested if you can. If they're not, that's fine too — the session has room for a break, and Karen has waited out a lot of naps.
Dress the baby in a plain top with no hood or high collar — see the what to wear notes below ↓
Rejection Cause #1 — Shadows On Photo
Meet Our Shadow-Free Baby Passport Photo Studio
This Is Not A Drugstore Baby Passport Photo.
Karen has prepared US and Canadian passport photos for 30+ years with zero rejections. For a baby that means one softbox aimed straight down at a white backdrop on the floor, so there is no shadow behind the head or under the chin — the two places infant photos fail. Precise sizing, eyes open, the parent's hands out of frame — the level of care a drugstore counter can't attempt with a newborn.
Shadow-Free Lighting. Newborn-Safe Floor Setup. Ready In 1 Hour.
U.S. Passport Photos Cut to Exact 2×2 Inch Size
Karen meticulously prepares each photo for accurate sizing, clean presentation, professional lighting, and U.S. passport application requirements — including the correct head size and plain white background.
"Karen was absolutely amazing, I would highly recommend her for any photo shoot. She made me comfortable, laugh, and my photos looked the way I've always imagined I could look — but better!"
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"Karen was the consummate professional. She made my experience easy and comfortable. Her attention to detail was extraordinary and my photos turned out amazing. I would definitely recommend her services to anyone, especially if you want perfection!"
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"If you are looking for a top-notch photographer with the professional experience and artistic ability to create outstanding results, look no further. Karen Vaisman gets you where you need to be in an effortless manner with incredible artistry, an eye for minute detail, and extraordinary patience for the camera-shy among us. I cannot recommend her more highly."
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"Karen is the ultimate professional and a joy to work with. She guided me through the process and the results were beyond my expectations. Wouldn't hesitate to recommend her to my friends and family."
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"Karen's experience shines from before the photo shoot. The quality, preparation and clarity she takes in her prep message is just the beginning of your professional experience. She has all the equipment needed to make the results impressive. And the results are impressive."
Read this review on GoogleQuick Answers — Baby, Infant & Newborn Passport Photos
Do a newborn's eyes have to be open for a passport photo?
For a US passport, not entirely — the State Department says it is okay if a baby's eyes are not fully open; every other child's eyes must be open. Karen still photographs babies with eyes open whenever possible: it's the safer photo for any country, and it's the one you'll like looking at for the next five years. She waits for the moment — no forcing, no flash in a sleeping face. Official rules: travel.state.gov.
How do you take a passport photo of a newborn who can't sit up?
Lying down. Karen lays the baby on a white backdrop on the floor — never a table — and photographs from directly above, with one softbox pointed straight down so there's no shadow behind the head or under the chin. A parent stays beside the baby, turns the head toward the camera, and pulls their hands out of frame at the moment of the shot. No other person in the photo, full face visible, neutral expression — the same standard as an adult photo, achieved in a way a drugstore counter can't.
How long does a baby passport photo session take?
Plan on 30–45 minutes, not five. Babies set the pace — there are pauses to feed, change, and settle, and the studio is reconfigured for a baby lying down. Prints are ready in about an hour; digital files the same day. If your child can't yet sit up unassisted, book the infant session. Book online or call (818) 991-7787.
What Passport Photo Clients Say
I was very pleased to find her professional experience as a photographer resulted in a flattering photo that I can present without cringing — as is usual with passport photos. She is exceptionally knowledgeable about the requirements to make sure they are not rejected. Highly recommend.
Read this review on YelpFor someone who hates her photographs being taken, you made it easy and fun. Thank you for your patience and professionalism, for making me feel so comfortable — and thank you for the great pictures.
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Newborn & Infant Passport Photos
US & Canadian — Agoura Hills Studio
- On the floor, never a table: a white backdrop goes down on the studio floor and your baby lies on it — there is nothing to roll off.
- One softbox, straight down: studio lighting aimed from directly above means no shadow behind the head or under the chin — the two places infant photos fail.
- You're right there: a parent stays on the floor beside the baby, turns the head toward the camera, and pulls their hands out of frame the moment the shot is taken.
- Warm or cool, as needed: a space heater on cold days, a fan on hot ones. Feed, change, and settle whenever you need — the session runs at the baby's pace, usually 30–45 minutes.
- Eyes open, mouth closed: Karen waits for the moment rather than forcing it. Prints cut to exact size for the US (2×2 in) or Canada (50×70 mm, studio stamp on the back). Zero rejections in 30+ years — and if it ever happens, the retake is free.
Baby Passport Photos
Agoura Hills & Los Angeles
Newborn & Infant Passport Photos You'll Actually Like — For The Next 5 Years
Infant sessions are priced on each booking page. Need both countries? Book either one and mention the second when you call — (818) 991-7787. Karen answers her own phone.
Real Passport
Photo Examples
Professional studio lighting can make a dramatic difference in how your passport photo looks
for the next 5 years.
Print & Digital
Passport Photos
Karen Vaisman Photography offers both printed and digital U.S. passport photos — priced separately so you only pay for what you need. Prints are ready in 1 hour. Digital files are delivered via WeTransfer within 1 hour of your session and are formatted to meet the latest State Department online portal requirements.
Visit Our
Agoura Hills Baby Passport Photo Studio
Newborn and infant passport photos by appointment in a private studio — no waiting room, no counter, the floor setup ready before you arrive. Serving Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Oak Park, Westlake Village, Thousand Oaks, and families across Los Angeles and the Conejo Valley.
Karen Vaisman Photography
5624 Silver Valley Ave
Agoura Hills, CA, 91301
Questions About
Passport Photos?
Call (818) 991-7787 or use the contact form below to reach Karen Vaisman Photography. Appointments are available in Agoura Hills
By appointment only.
Professional U.S. Passport Photos
Professional studio lighting •
1-hour turnaround •
By appointment in Agoura Hills
(818) 991-7787
Clothing matters more for a baby than an adult, because there's so little face and so much onesie.
Solid mid-tone colors photograph best — blue, green, red, plum — and separate cleanly from the white background. Avoid white, cream, and pale pastels, which blend into the backdrop, and skip busy prints. Nothing should cover the chin, ears, or forehead: no hats, headbands, bows, or pacifiers. Bring a spare outfit — babies are babies. After all… this is the photo on their first passport. Five years of showing it at the border.
Have questions?
Baby, Infant & Newborn Passport Photo FAQ
US & Canadian — Los Angeles & Agoura Hills
For a US passport, not entirely. The State Department says it is okay if a baby's eyes are not fully open; every other child's eyes must be open. Karen still photographs babies with eyes open whenever possible — it's the safer photo for any country and the one you'll like looking at for the next five years. She waits for the moment rather than forcing it. Official guidance: travel.state.gov.
Lying down, on the floor. A white backdrop goes down on the studio floor — never a table, so there's nothing to roll off — and the baby lies on it. Karen photographs from directly above with one softbox pointed straight down, so there's no shadow behind the head or under the chin. A parent stays on the floor beside the baby, turns the head toward the camera, and pulls their hands out of frame at the moment of the shot.
Same standard as an adult photo — no other person in the frame, full face visible, neutral expression — achieved in a way a drugstore counter can't.Plan on 30–45 minutes, not five. Babies set the pace — there are pauses to feed, change, and settle, and the studio is reconfigured for a baby lying down. There's a space heater for cold days and a fan for hot ones. Prints are ready in about an hour; digital files the same day. Book a US infant session or a Canadian infant session.
Simple test: if your child can't yet sit up unassisted — they'd be lying flat or in a car seat — book the infant session. It's priced for the extra time and the floor setup. A child who can sit steadily on their own books a regular passport session. Pricing is on each booking page: US passport photos · Canadian passport photos.
Yes — Canadian is the studio's largest passport line. Infant photos are printed at 50 × 70 mm on the dedicated Canadian cutter, with the studio name, address, and date stamped on the back in non-smear ink — the stamp Canada requires and most local shops can't supply. The same session can produce US and Canadian photos for the same baby. Canadian passport photos · Canadian citizenship photos · book a Canadian infant session. Official specifications: canada.ca.
The same photo rules as an adult, applied to a baby:
- 2 × 2 inch (51 × 51 mm) print, head 1 to 1 3/8 inches chin to crown
- Plain white or off-white background — no shadows on the face or behind the head
- No other person in the photo — no hands, no lap, no shoulder
- Child facing the camera, full face visible, neutral expression
- No pacifier, hat, headband, or toy in the frame
- Eyes open — or, for a baby, not entirely open is acceptable
- Taken within the last 6 months, unedited, no filters
Karen handles every one of these in the studio so you don't have to. Source: travel.state.gov — Babies and toddlers. Book a US infant session.
Yes. Every US citizen travelling internationally needs their own passport, including a newborn — there's no minimum age. How to apply for a child's passport, what to bring, and current processing times are all on the State Department's site: Apply for a child's passport under 16. Karen's part is the photo — US or Canadian.
No — no other person can appear in the photo, and that includes a hand at the edge of the frame or a shoulder behind the head. That's the single most common reason home-made baby photos fail. In the studio the parent is right beside the baby the whole time; the hands come out of frame only for the instant the shutter fires.
Many drugstore counters will attempt one. The difficulty isn't the willingness, it's the setup: a counter has a wall backdrop and overhead fluorescent light, which is fine for an adult standing still and very hard for a baby who can't sit up — the photo ends up with a parent's hand, a shadow behind the head, or a colour cast on the skin. Here the baby lies on a white backdrop on the floor under a softbox, and Karen keeps shooting until she has one that passes. 300+ five-star reviews.
A solid mid-tone color that separates from the white background — blue, green, red, plum. Avoid white, cream, and pale pastels, which blend into the backdrop, and skip busy prints. Nothing should cover the chin, ears, or forehead: no hats, headbands, bows, or pacifiers. Bring a spare outfit.
Always. Every shot is reviewed with you on the iPad right after the session, and you choose the one that gets printed. Nothing is finalized without you.
Zero rejections in 30+ years — adults, children, or infants, US or Canadian. If a photo is ever not accepted, Karen will retake it for free. In 30+ years, a retake has never been needed.
Karen Vaisman Photography is at 5624 Silver Valley Avenue, Agoura Hills, CA 91301 — just off the 101 at Reyes Adobe, minutes from Calabasas, Westlake Village, and Oak Park, and an easy drive from the west San Fernando Valley and Los Angeles. Private studio, no waiting room, easy street parking right outside.
Book a US infant session · Book a Canadian infant session · or call (818) 991-7787. Monday–Saturday, 9am–5pm, by appointment only.
"Karen was absolutely wonderful to work with. She was incredibly patient and professional throughout the entire session, and she made sure I looked my best in every shot. Her 30 years of experience truly shows in the way she guides you and pays attention to the small details."
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"Karen is the definition of a true professional photographer. She not only makes you feel comfortable while she is taking your photo, but she understands what is required to get that perfect shot — the correct angle, the right lighting, and most importantly, how to capture the essence of the person in front of the camera."
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"Karen was wonderful to work with, she is a true professional and knows how to take photos at the right angle to make you look good. Once the booking was made and the time set there were no delays, no waiting — just like the Swiss Railway, on time. I was very pleased with my photos."
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"It was wonderful working with Karen! She was nice and professional. She scheduled an appointment for me right away and got my retouched images back to me in less than a week! Pictures turned out great. Highly recommend."
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"I was seeking a talented photographer, not just with lighting and lenses and composition, but also had some talent with photoshop to smooth out any blemishes, etc. Boy, did I score! I am amazed by how flattering, yet true to myself, these photos came out. Karen is truly a talented artist, and you will not be disappointed in the results you get either."
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Newborn and infant passport photos by appointment in Agoura Hills, serving Los Angeles, Ventura County, the Conejo Valley, and surrounding areas. Floor setup, no shadows, eyes open — prints typically ready in about 1 hour. Zero rejections in 30+ years.